Blog: Citizen Science Projects, People, and Perspectives
Pictured here are my son and a silverback gorilla at the Philadelphia Zoo. As the gorilla approached the observatory window, my son nervously began to chew on his finger. The gorilla slowly, gently walked up to the window and mimicked–dare I say, empathized with–my little guy. “No one who looks into a gorilla’s eyes — … Read more “Save gorillas: yeah, there’s an app for that”
Categories: Animals, Citizen Science
Calling all citizen scientists in the Gulf Coast! Help survey birds in the beaches and marshes most likely to be impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Cornell University’s Team eBird has produced the eBird Gulf Coast Oil Spill Bird Tracker gadget that can be embedded in your iGoogle page for quick access to the … Read more “Gulf Coast oil spill: Help survey birds at risk”
Categories: Birds, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment
The major rivers and estuaries along the northeastern coast of the U.S. are preparing for peak spawning season of herring, eels, shad, and other fish. Aquatic dwellers in the Hudson River, situated between NY and NJ, are fortunate to have the Hudson River Estuary Program and Scenic Hudson organizations looking out for them. Now through … Read more “‘Tis the season for spawning.”
Categories: Biology, Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Nature & Outdoors, Ocean & Water
To get us all in the mood to celebrate the start of Firefly season, check out Owl City’s Fireflies music video. The Museum of Science, Boston, kicks off each year of its Firefly Watch citizen science project with a day-long celebration in honor of everyone’s favorite insect and the volunteers who help monitor their populace … Read more “April 24 is Firefly Day!”
Categories: Citizen Science, Contest, Insects
Innocentive built the first global Web community for open innovation where organizations or “Seekers” submit complex problems or “Challenges” for resolution to a “Solver” community of more than 200,000 engineers, scientists, inventors, business professionals, and research organizations in more than 200 countries. Innocentive’s CEO Dwayne Spradlin called ScienceForCitizens.net (and our sister site, ScienceCheerleader.com) “close … Read more “Innocentive wants to hear from YOU! (Earn $5K in the process.)”
Categories: Citizen Science, Do-It-Yourself, In the News
This week, an article in the Charlotte Observer newspaper featured citizen scientist Benton Bragg and his family. The Braggs installed a video camera in an owl box to track the habits of the owl and her babies. “We never know what we’re going to see,” Bragg said. “One night she brought in seven snakes. Another … Read more “Charlotte Observer: “Citizen Science is in full flight.””
Categories: Animals, Birds, Citizen Science, In the News, Nature & Outdoors
Before I headed to Austin, TX last week for the SXSW music, film, and interactive conference (I helped put together a panel discussion there on the Future of Gaming for Discover Magazine and the National Science Foundation), I Googled “citizen science in Austin” and came upon the Texas Beewatchers. The organizer of this citizen science … Read more “What’s all the buzz about bees?”
Categories: Citizen Science, Ecology & Environment, Insects, Nature & Outdoors
This is a very cool, new entry in the ScienceForCitizens.net database. It’s from the folks at Innocentive, the world leader in open innovation. (We’ll have more to say about our blossoming alliance with them shortly.) For now, check out this Innocentive Challenge which seeks to advance knowledge about Type 1 Diabetes. Citizen scientists are invited … Read more “Harvard scientists want your thoughts on how to improve Type 1 Diabetes research. $5K prize!”
Categories: Citizen Science, Health
A few weeks ago, I snapped a photo of my kids skiing in the Poconos (while I hung out in the lodge). I noticed this ladybug walking along the windowsill. A quick Google search informed me that it’s not uncommon for folks living in mountainous regions to be invested with ladybugs seeking shelter in the … Read more “Hey pretty ladybug: you come to this ski lodge often?”
Categories: Citizen Science, Insects
Have you ever seen the Milky Way from where you live? Most of us have not and it’s largely due to increased light pollution from outdoor lighting. Light pollution not only wastes between 2 to 10 billion dollars a year in energy and money but it causes human sleep disorders and disrupts habits critical to … Read more “View the Milky Way, help stem light pollution!”
Categories: Astronomy & Space, Citizen Science, Nature & Outdoors
